shop vac - who designs these things?

Steve in VA · Nov 21, 2016

I have 2 vacs by different manufacturers but both share the same fault. The wheels are too small to roll over it's own power cord. They're on wheels so they can be rolled around and both have nice long power cords. But, when they roll up against the cord they either jam in place or topple over. Its simply aggravating to have to stop and go free up the vac to move it.

Oh well. If that's the worst thing I have to complain about, I guess I'm in pretty good shape. Just venting.

But I would be curious to hear about you're weak design stories.

wisbaker · Nov 21, 2016

How about the IBC totes (300 gallon plastic jar) we get sanitation chemicals in. The plastic tub that is the actual container is blow molded plastic, on two sides they have gradient markings to tell you how much chemical is in the tote. They weld the plastic tub in a wire cage to protect it in transit, two sides are wire mesh, two sides have a sheet metal plate over the wire mesh to place labels and transit markings on. You want to guess which way the tub is put in the cage? Yep-can't read the gradient markings because they're behind the sheet metal.

jimlll · Nov 21, 2016

I have a 70's era Craftsman, of which the motor extends straight up, this allows you to wind the cord around the motor for storage. This has been a very good vacuum. I purchased another Craftsman vac of the same size, but of later design. It is very difficult to get it through a 2 ft door as the wheel covers extend considerably and another annoyance is you cannot wind the cord around the motor. I agree with the question WHO DESIGNS THESE THINGS.

JML755 · Nov 21, 2016

The shop-vac wheel issue is one of my pet peeves as well.

Another is one I've posted about before. Bought a DeWalt case ($40) specifically designed for my DeWalt Angle grinder. Found that it's just big enough to fit the grinder with the cord (if it's wrapped just right). Forget about extra disks, wheels, etc. I ended up using a $10 generic tool box that has plenty of room for the grinder and replacement wheels.

El Hombre · Nov 21, 2016

(quoted from post at 17:25:24 11/21/16) I have 2 vacs by different manufacturers but both share the same fault. The wheels are too small to roll over it's own power cord. They're on wheels so they can be rolled around and both have nice long power cords. But, when they roll up against the cord they either jam in place or topple over. Its simply aggravating to have to stop and go free up the vac to move it.

Oh well. If that's the worst thing I have to complain about, I guess I'm in pretty good shape. Just venting.

But I would be curious to hear about you're weak design stories.

Install some kind of a cleat at the bottom/side of the tank, take the power cord and wrap it a couple of times around the cleat. Now when you pull on the cord, you're pulling low, near the wheels and it won't tip over like if the cord was still attached up top.

Then when you need to empty the tank, unwrap the cord off the cleat, dump, and put it back together.

Use your imagination and what you got as to what to make the cleat out of, doesn't have to be a bronze dock cleat like some would think.....

flembo · Nov 21, 2016

Shop.vac Industrial has 2 8" wheels and 1 3"wheel rolls real easy. Has a stainless steer canister and a very soft flexible hose. It is very quite and plenty of suction comes with several attachments. You can use a bag if you want comes with one, we don't use it at work just the filter. It is quite spendy tho I believe $600 SMC Industrial carries them. It is to spendy for my blood for home use, just thought I would throw it out there.

charlie n · Nov 21, 2016

Same problem I was having.Bought one like this last summer.It don't tip over.

https://www.shopvac.com/product/shop-vac-contractor-series-wet-dry-vac-catnum:9625710

Charles in Aus. · Nov 21, 2016

Had an old one that did the very same thing . It was a bagless type with just a big canister to collect the dust . I put a big brick into the bottom of it , this lowered the centre of gravity and it never tipped over again .

John730D · Nov 21, 2016

I got one that hangs on the wall, and then I bought swimming pool hose so it reaches every corner of the shop. Best thing I ever did, and doesn't take up floor space.

Tom from Buckeye Lake · Nov 21, 2016

Mine is water hose reels. Handles are way too short and hose forms to reel, making you walk back to reel to unwind it so it doesn't tip over.

showcrop · Nov 23, 2016

I keep saying that I am going to add some sort of mast to mine to hold the hose. There is no way to wrap it around. The mast could also hold the cord with a bungee. I have a couple project switch-overs coming so maybe I could get it done then.

Stephen Newell · Nov 24, 2016

I've come to the conclusion the folks that design tools all they know about them is what they see in pictures. I don't think any of them actually use tools.

shop vac - who designs these things?

Steve in VA

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wisbaker

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jimlll

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JML755

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El Hombre

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flembo

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charlie n

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Charles in Aus.

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John730D

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Tom from Buckeye Lake

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showcrop

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Stephen Newell

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